Cut Contact Paper Strips

Lay the grid ruler along the edge of the contact paper at the half-inch mark. Hold it securely in place, and carefully cut along the ruler edge. Repeat so you end up with a few half-inch strips.

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What You Need

-A small structured bag

-Acrylic paint

-Contact paper

-A grip ruler

-A utility knife

-A small brush

-A plastic plate

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Score a Strip

Turn the first strip sideways. Place the ruler over it, lining up the edge of the strip with the ruler's half-inch mark. Gently cut along the ruler edge, scoring the contact paper so it's cut but the peel-off backing is not. This takes a bit of practice, but if you cut all the way through, that's okay too!

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Continue Scoring the Strips

Continue scoring half-inch squares across the entire strip; this helps with peeling the squares off the backing. Score all of the half-inch strips.

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Cut One-Inch Strips

Repeat step 1, this time cutting one-inch strips.

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Score the One-Inch Strips

Repeat steps 2 and 3, scoring one-inch squares along the entire strip. Do this to all of the one-inch strips.

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Place the First Square

Be sure the surface of the bag is clean and dust-free. Peel a half-inch square sticker, and place it at the bottom corner of the bag.

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Continue Placing the Smaller Squares

Measure one inch over, and place a second half-inch square. Continue placing the smaller squares one inch apart all across the bottom edge of the bag.

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Place the Larger Squares

For the second row, place the larger one-inch squares above the gaps. Their corners should meet those of the small squares in the row below. Repeat this step, alternating rows of small and large squares.

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Trim the Contact Paper

Carefully trim the contact paper around any hardware pieces.

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Peel the Contact Paper

After the final coat is fully dry, carefully lift the edge of the contact paper with the tip of the utility knife. Peel back the contact paper to reveal the painted pattern.

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Paint the Non-Covered Areas

Press all the contact paper squares securely into place, and brush paint on the empty areas between them. Allow the paint to dry, and repeat with a second coat.